Tritan Shehu, members of the Government and MPs in the district of Kolonje —Opening the Tre Urat border crossing in Leskovik is essential for the whole region of Kolonje— Tritan Shehu, members of the Government and MPs in the district of Kolonje NATIONAL PRIDE AND SENTIMENT MUST RISE ABOVE INTERESTS OF MOMENTARY GAIN —Opening the Tre Urat border crossing in Leskovik is essential for the whole region of Kolonje— The meetings in the district of Kolonje began on Friday at midday with a working meeting at the chairmanship of the PD Branch, attended, in addition to PD activists and secretaries of the Communes, by Mr. Tritan Shehu and members of the Government. The meeting was opened by Mr. Taqo Lula, chairman of the PD branch in the district of Kolonje, who reported on the main achievements made during these two years of democracy. He then also expressed some of the concerns preoccupying the citizens of Kolonje today, which are compounded by the fact that local government is not functioning normally; here it is in the hands of the socialists. Mr. Shehu also spoke at the meeting, once again underscoring the importance of intensive, one-on-one work in the district of Kolonje to increase the number of PD members, particularly during this year, since the moment the democratic forces in Albania are going through is also very favorable. * * * Meanwhile, on Friday afternoon, hundreds of residents of Leskovik, the land of Zylftar Podo and Jani Vreto, Muço Qulli and Ali Gline, gathered. “Democracy and the free-market economy have made it possible for life here in Leskovik to change for the better, for the good of every individual and every family,” Mr. Tritan Shehu said at the beginning of his speech. “I assure you,” Mr. Shehu continued, “that the Democratic Government will help ensure that your concerns and needs, such as the construction of a water supply system and the opening of the customs crossing at Tre Urat, which historically belongs to Leskovik, are addressed as soon as possible.” Speaking about relations with neighboring countries, he said that they are currently good. “We consider these ties important, particularly with our southern neighbor, Greece. But,” Mr. Shehu stressed, “our national sentiment must be greater than certain gains of the moment, imposed by the deep poverty of the communist dictatorship.” Tomor Dosti spoke, among other things, about the glorious history of the Leskovik region and the distinguished figures of this area, who spared neither their blood, sweat nor toil for the good of the nation. ... [text continues, cut off at the bottom edge] These areas. “Important for Leskovik,” he said, “are the thermal springs and the opening of the Tre Urat crossing, as well as small businesses along the Erseke–Leskovik–Permet route.” MP Butka emphasized that aid for Leskovik had been of direct interest to President Berisha. The MP went on to say that the fact that Leskovik had been declared a Municipality was a sign of the culture and emancipation of the people of Leskovik. Miss Ada Hyso said that young people, as the most vital and energetic part of society and the group with no nostalgia whatsoever for the past, should be the main support for democratic processes, here too in remote, mountainous Leskovik. Mr. Eduard Ypi, after describing the terrible suffering of the communist hell, underscored the point that today we are far better off than in the time of collectivization and cooperatives. Above all, we must cherish the freedom we have won. The Government will help you at all times, but above all, your own work and ideas will help you. “Apartments will also be built in Leskovik for those who were represented,” Mr. Ypi said in conclusion. Afterwards, a fruitful discussion took place between the senior representatives of the PDSH, government officials and MPs, and the assembled people. “RD” correspondent of the number of DP members, especially Albania are going through is also quite favorable. * * * home of Zylftar Poda and Jani Vreto, Muço Qulli and Ali Gline, enthusiastically welcomed the meeting and warm conversation with Mr. Tritan Shehu and Tomorr Dosti, Ministers Spaho and Ypi, MPs Butka and Malaj, as well as the deputy chairwoman of the FRPDSh, Miss Ada Hysa. The long-awaited meeting of the people of Leskovik was opened by Mr. Kujtim Qerama, chairman of the Leskovik branch of the DP. some short-term gains, imposed by the deep poverty of the communist dictatorship. Tomorr the Leskovik region, and about blood, nor their sweat and intellect, for the good of our wonderful nation. “This freedom was given to the people of Leskovik by the PDSH, and my heart swells with pride when I see here among you those whom the dictatorship dragged along the ground and deported to the infamous Gradishta,” Mr. Dosti went on to say. Minister Edmond Spaho mentioned the Government’s upcoming projects to make the development of mountain tourism possible, in

In response to an invitation from the English Prime Minister, John Major, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, left on Sunday afternoon for Great Britain at the head of a delegation that will make a three-day working visit, thus becoming the first Albanian head of state to visit the United Kingdom. On this visit, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Bashkim Kopliku and Deputy Foreign Minister Arjan Starova. President Berisha held his first meeting with Foreign Minister Douglas Hurd, during which bilateral relations and the issue of Kosovo were discussed. After praising Albania’s achievements to date, Douglas Hurd stressed that Britain’s idea for Kosovo was autonomy. At his meeting with Baroness Chalker, Minister for Development, President Berisha thanked her for the assistance Great Britain had provided to Albania, and they also discussed investments that various companies might make in Albania. Yesterday President Berisha also met with businesspeople and representatives of the BBC. “RD” correspondent

—Press conference by Ministers Serreqi and Petersen Yesterday at midday, before leaving our country, Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Niels Helveg Petersen, held a press conference for journalists. He was accompanied at the conference by our Foreign Minister, Mr. Alfred Serreqi. Serreqi: The visit by Danish Foreign Minister Petersen was the first at this level between our two countries. We benefited greatly from Danish experience, not only bilaterally but also multilaterally. We agreed with the Danish delegation to expand broader cooperation in the fields of economics, education, science, culture, etc. We also discussed the situation in the former Yugoslavia, and especially the issue of Kosovo, which both delegations considered essential to resolving the crisis in the region. At the conclusion, Danish Foreign Minister Petersen allocated a sum of 15 million kroner to Albania, which may begin to be invested this year. Petersen: I am here at the end of my visit to Albania, which I consider very important. During this visit I had fruitful meetings with the highest-ranking figures in Albanian political life, including the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, the Minister of Culture, the Speaker of Parliament, and the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. I am very encouraged by the significant changes that have taken place in Albania in just a few years. Denmark is determined to support reform in Albania. We support you through our contribution to the Council of Europe, which has an assistance program for Albania. Our assistance to Albania will be broad, covering healthcare, social assistance, education, the legal system, etc. On Kosovo, the Danish view is that it should have substantial (broad) autonomy. This problem is essential to resolving the crisis in the Balkans. The two ministers then answered journalists’ questions. Asked about the presence of Turkish forces in the troubled region of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serreqi replied: All countries should respond to the UN’s call to contribute. Asked about joint action by the Twelve to resolve the crisis in the former Yugoslavia, Petersen replied: The EC has decided to insist on joint action regarding the former Yugoslavia. This was the decision of the Twelve, of which Denmark is a member. We emphasize that the EC’s action plan is the basis for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. Following the Croatian-Muslim Federation, pressure must be brought to bear on Serbia to make territorial concessions. Denmark supports this. Asked another question about the visits by the Belgian and Bulgarian foreign ministers, Petersen replied: European diplomacy believes that Albania is important for peace in the region. It is Greece for autonomy in Kosovo was another question, to which Petersen replied: The EU, that is, the Twelve, takes joint action. Broad autonomy for Kosovo. D.K. Photo: A. Babani

There are many cases in which criminals brought to the dock, directly or indirectly, themselves or through other people, put pressure on the representatives of justice responsible for trying them. This is the last resort of these criminals to escape punishment. Usually the threats are directed at judges who have refused to be corrupted by criminals. The criminal F. Nano did the same thing in the courtroom, once again proving that he belongs to the dregs of ordinary and political criminals. One session earlier, Nano had pressured the trial panel, remarking that if he came to power one day, he could change the prison cells. At the last session: “We will defend ourselves to the end of our lives... your state brought the case to this point...”. Every correction of these injustices will be made soon... That is what Nano said, implying that the scum who institutionalized crime in Albania for 50 years would continue to “fight” to the end to bring back their time. We do not doubt that this scum will not stop “fighting,” but we also do not doubt that their time will never come again. Nano used tanks while he was in power. “We won’t let go without blood,” the scum around him said, but today criminals have the only place they deserve: prison. In any case, by acting this way Nano made clear to those who still had the slightest doubt about his dirty hands what the Nano ilk represents. Brought to the dock, exposed by his own crime with no possibility of refuting the charges, Nano used every vile and unlawful means to escape punishment. Thus, after obstructing justice from carrying out its duty by dragging out the investigations, after lying as much as he could about the violations being committed against him, and after clamming up and giving no explanation for the crime he committed (an explanation he owes, first and foremost, to all the victims of his crime), Nano resorted to the only forms of “defense” available to a criminal. Through his scum, he threatened one of the experts, knowing that, more than any testimony, the expert report would legally establish his violations. When he achieved nothing despite all these actions, and after the prosecution had delivered its closing argument, Nano had nothing left but to threaten the trial panel. When prosecutor Geleshi protested the threat made against the expert, Nano feigned surprise—but will he now perhaps be “surprised” by the threats he himself is making? “Unfortunately,” justice is no longer run by criminals, and Nano’s threats only add to the stench surrounding him and his friends. These facts prove once again, beyond doubt, that Nano is guilty. Anyone with normal reasoning understands this. Nano claims (to those who listen to him) that his case is supposedly politically motivated, and told his militant supporter that he would “discredit” this trial. The only way to show that Nano was right—that is, to prove the trial was political—would have been for Nano to refute the charges against him with arguments and evidence. If the charges had turned out to be a bluff, it would then have been clear that those who prepared them had manipulated matters with the sole aim of convicting Nano. But Nano did no such thing. The prosecution brought out, one after another, the facts, documents and witnesses that proved Nano’s crime, while Nano sent other criminals to threaten the experts with guns and finally threatened the trial panel itself. Are these the actions of an innocent man? No. Anyone normal can see that these are the actions of a criminal trying to escape justice by criminal methods, but who, fortunately for everyone else, now occupies the place he deserves. EDI PALOKA

On 26 March 1994, the secretary of the Greek Embassy in Tirana, Mr. Tulupas, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and handed a note of protest concerning the incident of 21 March 1994, when a group of Albanians who had crossed the Albanian-Greek border were mistreated by Greek border forces. According to reliable information, a Greek soldier, after placing his automatic rifle against the chest of the Albanian citizen Alfred Abaz Muço (21 years old), from Bubullima, Lushnje, opened fire without any reason, causing his death. The note states, among other things, that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania protests this ugly, tragic act, pointing out that such actions damage Albanian-Greek relations, create an unjustifiable climate of tension, and run counter to international norms and statements by the Greek authorities. The note also asks the Greek Government to provide an appropriate explanation of the grave incident and to take measures to punish those responsible and prevent a recurrence of such acts, which have also occurred in the past.

A reply to the latest nonsense Convinced that he has made some extremely important discovery, the chairman’s “villa no. 4,” a pseudo-investigator from “ZP” writes about how prosecutor Qeleslaj’s “files” pass into the hands of the deputy editor-in-chief of “RD” in the square in front of the courthouse. To this pseudo-investigator, this represents a typical communist conspiracy. Until now I had thought that “ZP” had published only because it was compelled to by all the madman’s “evidence” Nano mentioned in court—for example, the case of the airplanes, about which Nano declared in his speech at the trial that they had been used to pressure him (in fact, the planes were rehearsing for the 22 March celebration)—but now it seems that Nano is not the only one; the pseudonym working for him is too. According to “ZP,” for a journalist to meet a prosecutor in the middle of the square (where there were at least three “ZP” journalists and several socialist MPs) is evidence of a communist conspiracy. “Communist conspiracy” (again, according to “ZP”) in obtaining material published in “RD” in the middle... The following day “RD” published the prosecution’s closing argument, which had been recorded in the courtroom by at least 20 tape recorders; Nano himself turned toward the tape recorder, and one of those recorders belonged to the “RD” journalist. If “ZP” journalists want, they can come and get the recorded closing argument, but I don’t think that its non-publication is because they supposedly can’t obtain it, since they can get it from the prosecutor as well if they ask. The problem is that “ZP” cannot publish the closing argument. The other “discovery” made by the “ZP” pseudonym is the prosecutor’s “dependence” on the journalist, and this discovery is supposedly based on the “conspiratorial meeting” in the square. The fact is that a journalist’s profession gives them the opportunity to meet not only prosecutors but even presidents of countries. Imagine what would have happened if the ball had followed the logic of the “ZP” pseudos. But the “funny” thing is that we have also discussed matters in Parliament, and F. Nano himself was there; it would be very interesting if “ZP” published this fact under the headline “PS Chairman dependent on ‘RD’ journalist.” E. PALOKA